The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1887-08-20

the truth, then get ready and come with
me, remarked the official, in an injured
tone. L don't like this here cell myself
Wait, implored No. 10; Il want to con-
"Pshaw! Confess nothing"
But | must-your kindness compels me
to- Look here"
He went to the side of the wall and ex-
posed neatly concealed cavity between
two great stones. From this cavity he took
a small coil OF braided rope,
Bit by bit / saved up those shreds for a
long time. | meant to end an existence
that has become unbearable But now
Now you'll hand that precious instru-
ment over to me, cried the scandalized
/ Warden. ITO think what narrow escape
I've had from having a suicide in the pris-
on-after all my pains to prevent thing of
ashamed of yourself.
And so | do.
MAYBE you do, and maybe again you
don't | must say you don't particularly
| look it dashed if you do.
No. ~ threw his head mp.
4 no longer desire to die. | wish to
hve-to live that / may be revenged.
Well come with me. No matter what
you want to live for. I've ordered rare
old breakfast to be served at six sharp, and
it's past six now.
The Warden opened the cell door. The
ex-prisoner breathed deeply and glanced
about him. Then he stepped out in the
corridor and followed his new friend down
stairs.
Yours is the queerest case on record, .
remarked the Warden, as NO. 10" seated
| himself finally IN an easy chair in the War
den's own particular room.
A round table was drawn up before the
CRATE, where fire burned brightly. Covers
for two persons indicated the fact that the
official had not meant to breakfast alone.
A delicious odor of coffee filed the apart
ment, and removing the lids from the side
dishes a feast of good things was displayed
TO the view.
You are not very communicative, said
the official, motioning his late prisoner to
a seat at the table. / must say that you We
kept the coolest mouth about yourself and
your Iast life of any fellow l ever had to
| deal with. Would you mind telling me
your story? I'm a friend to you, and have
gwen you proof Of my friendship"
No la' buried his face in his hands,
signing profoundly.
Why should | tell it to you when YOU
would undoubtedly disbelieve it? The
story seems impossible"
There could be no harm in gratifying
my curiosity at least" answered the War
den.
If YOU viii have it." said the ex-convict,
after a moments silence, then here it is:
! now SLY, as ] said eleven years ago. that
| am not the man called James orion.
That ! was never tried, never convicted,
never sentenced. | say, rs | said eleven
/ years ago. that / am the victim of circum-
/ stance. But to 20 back Let me begin
with the year 1S-. In that year on the
morning Of December 5, | entered this
! cell to visit a prisoner then serving a
/ life sentence on the charge of murder He
/ was bod and desperate villain but we'll
/ as | know him had no idea of the things
4 ne was capable of doing | was int rested
I IN certain lIfe-insuance case that had
/ figured in the courts for some wears. and
1 by the merest chance / discovered that
4 the prisoner, known as Convict No. lO,
! was connected with 1t. Accordingly. armed
/ with permit signed by the highest prison
4 officials, on the morning of December ]
I visited his cell. l had been granted an
/ hours time alone with him. His previous
/ good bs aavlor had gained some concessions
I from tbs regular prison discipline, and ]
/ found Inn without irons. lie listened to
| what ID to say perfectly unmoved. But
I all the me | was talking TO hlm | had no.
tced secular light IL his eyes, md that
4 he gradually approached me so close thai
We finally stood shoulder to shoulder Rut
| never dreamed OF his horrible purpose.
Without word Of warning he suddenly
grasPe3 ne by he throat with both bands
4 CO "a not CRY out-coUjd rot shout tC
the gU#rd at tie far end Of the corridor
Silent that IGnsu :'ger clung to my
throat, hoking M veIy HE ont. NJ blow,
struck lie empty ar. ny struggles were
use esS. Sight and sense left NE.
when l came back 10 consciousness
lav on 10 prison floor a prison cell viii
the prs n clothes upon ms body. Ny as.
salla4t .,as gone. Atured IN my germe Is
with Ar collar PULLED vel. ap about hI